CSA 12, 10¢ blue (4 margins) tied RICHMOND VA. circular datestamp on a small pink-lined commercially made envelope to Gen. Wm. B. Taliaferro, James Island near Charleston, South Carolina. Contents were apparently too large for the small envelope and thus the top was extended by folding the envelope over the letter; repair of back flap and top edge of cover; signed Brian Green who widely exhibited a Confederate generals collection. Ex David Burton. $180.

William Booth Taliaferro (1822-1898) became commander of Virginia's state militia following Virginia's secession in 1861. He later took command of the 23rd Virginia Infantry as a colonel. He fought several engagements in 1861 and by the end of the year had ascended to brigade command, where he led Confederate forces at the Battle of Greenbrier River, in what is now West Virginia. Taliaferro's Brigade came under Maj. Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson's command at the end of 1861. He remained with Jackson for some years, rising to division command in 1862. Taliaferro was seriously injured at the Battle of Second Manassas, but returned to the field in the time for the Battle of Fredericksburg, his last battle under Jackson. After Fredericksburg, Taliaferro was given command of the District of Savannah. In this capacity he led troops at the Battle of Fort Wagner on Morris Island. In 1864, Taliaferro was given command of all forces in the Eastern district of Florida, which made him the overall commander at the Battle of Olustee that February. He subsequently returned to South Carolina, where he was made commander of all forces in that state. Taliaferro was still in command when Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman entered the state from Savannah. Taliaferro returned to Virginia when the Army of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida surrendered later that year. Much more info available online.